Eco Factor: Magnetic levels in tree leaves indicate levels of air pollution.
While scientists are working on ways to reduce the amount of particulate matter in the air we breathe to ensure a healthier lifestyle, geophysicists at Western Washington University are trying to find low-tech ways to measure air quality and levels of air pollution.
The researchers have come up with a new study which shows that leaves along bus routes are up to ten times more magnetic than leaves from trees on quieter and rural streets. The magnetism comes from tiny particles of pollution such as iron oxides from diesel exhaust, which either stick to the leaves or grow right into them.
These researchers admit that many details still need to be worked out, but they’re hoping that one day they can have kids collect leaves from different parts of a city and that the data could serve as a low-tech way to measure atmospheric air pollution.
Via: Gizmag
